Interstellar Survival: Invasion

Chapter 284: Dimensional Warfare

"Canyue! We waited a very long time for you guys!" said Baron Sisse, who was the first to rush toward me.

Behind the baron was our old friend, Prince Toruse. Someone else pounced on me from behind. I hurriedly looked back and saw that it was another old friend, Domo, the individual Temo feared most.

Meeting again after a long separation, we were all emotional. We started catching up and talking about the events that had happened during our separation. Even Dodo, an android, had plenty of stories to tell. Only Temo remained silent, standing behind Anxashe.

After about 10 minutes, I received a series of bad news: Baobao, Jack, Commander Xidor, and Commander Herbert had all sacrificed themselves in the bitter war. We lowered our heads and observed a moment of silence for our fallen comrades.

However, Prince Toruse also brought several pieces of good news with him: Zhang Xingxing and Kelly were on their way from Blue's defensive perimeter. Master Crystal, Dondon, and Wind Spirit were with them as well.

After catching up, we all sat down, and Baron Sisse started updating us on the league's unfavorable position in the war.

"All our outer strongholds and positions have been lost. Our remaining forces are concentrated on three planets, but we are completely surrounded by the Divine Empire. Our armies are all trapped while our ability to perform large-scale wormhole-leaps has been removed," said Baron Sisse.

"It has only been two years. How did we suffer such terrible defeats? I remember that our military had even attacked Lidu early on in the war. We also almost managed to wipe out one of their armies," I said, voicing out what I remembered from two years ago.

"After the all-out war erupted, the enemy started displaying their true strength. Their armies are endless, surpassing us not only in number but also in technology," answered Prince Toruse.

"In what aspects are we inferior to them? Can you tell me in more detail?" I asked.

"It is true that they have a larger army and fiercer soldiers. But at the same time, their armies also do not fight in the same dimension as us," replied Prince Toruse.

"Not in the same dimension? What do you mean?" asked Old Du.

"In battle, they fight us with phantoms, and their true army hides in a different dimension. Thus, we have not been able to deal any damage to their actual army," said Prince Toruse.

Temo, who had been silent after seeing Domo, suddenly said, "However, the imperial ships need to be recharged every half an hour. That is the best opportunity to overcome the dimensional difference."

"That's right. We also noticed that, but the enemy will always withdraw before running out of time and have the phantom of a different unit take their place. Thus, we have only been able to deal a limited amount of damage to them. As for our own units, we kept suffering disastrous losses. This is a war we can't win," said Prince Toruse, disheartened.

"Why didn't we discover this dimensional phantom ability before the war?" asked Zhang Bao'er.

"The empire had only completed the research on dimensional technology last year. The technology was applied to the war almost immediately. The inventor of this technology is a great researcher of our Sacred Wing race," said Temo smugly.

I suddenly noticed that Domo, who was usually extremely talkative, had remained silent since the appearance of Temo.

"This dimensional technology is too powerful. Do we have any ways of dealing with it?" asked Old Du.

"With this technology, a large amount of energy is used to hide the true army in a different dimension while attacking with a phantom army. All energy-based attacks can be transmitted through dimensions, rendering the user of the technology basically invincible. To overcome this technology, you need an even larger source of energy," explained Temo.

"What is the enemy's energy source? And what kind of energy do we need to pierce through the dimensional barrier?" I asked.

"I'm not sure, but the worm colony brains should know the answer. I believe the energy source is related to them. Before the empire started using dimensional technology in war, I discovered that the Sacred Wing inventor would frequently visit the worm colony brains of the superweapons," said Temo, giving us an uncertain answer.

I relaxed somewhat upon hearing that the technology was related to the worm colony brains.

"Baron, from what we know, the enemy is unable to break through our Kax Rings. However, a lot of their superweapons are transporting planets into our Solar System. According to our estimations, they will arrive in 14 days. The empire might try to overcome our Kax Rings by bombarding the rings with those planets," I said. Upon hearing the update, the morale of the people present dropped even further.

"In other words, we are 14 days away from destruction," said Prince Toruse with despair.

"Is there a different way to defeat these fellows? I have painstakingly saved some money in the past two years. If we are defeated, I will lose all my savings," said Domo with an exceptionally worried tone. It would seem like he had not changed one bit.

"Domo, you must have earned a lot from the war. What are you waiting for? Share some of the wealth with your grandpa," said Zhang Bao'er, recreating their famous bickering after two long years.

"Don't even dream of it. You're the last person I'll share my wealth with," Domo firmly refused.

"It's fine if you refuse to share with me, but surely you would be willing to share the wealth with your beloved brethren, right?" said Zhang Bao'er, intentionally provoking a conflict between Temo and Domo.

Unsurprisingly, Domo raged, "That's impossible! This trash turned his back on his own people! He should be thankful that I have been holding back from teaching him a lesson."

"You lowly peasant. We spared you back then, but your people survived like cockroaches. Come, on behalf of my great race, let me teach you a lesson," Temo shot back unyieldingly.

And just like that, the two little fellows decided to have a duel to the death. In truth, we found the scene rather comical. It was also surprising that the hatred between the two ran so deep. Even more comical was the fact that the duel to the death between the two little fellows looked nowhere as fierce as it sounded. I signaled Old Du with my eyes before we stepped forth to stop the two furious fellows.

"The enemy is right in front of us. We need to unite against the common enemy. You should temporarily let go of your past grievances. I'll mediate a settlement between the two of you after the war," I offered.

"Fine, fine, this great one shall spare you for now out of respect for Li Canyue," said Domo stubbornly even though he didn't really want to participate in the duel.

"You're the one being spared here. I'll deal with you when I have some free time to spare," declared Temo imposingly.

Despite their unyielding words, the duel had been canceled, replaced by a staring contest.

"Canyue, did you bring with you a good way to defeat the empire? This war has lasted two years. The past year, in particular, has been a terrible year for us. Did you discover anything that could help us during your time in the enemy's territory?" asked Baron Sisse, bringing us back to the topic at hand.

"Yes. I'm here to get help for an operation that could save our home and defeat the imperial invaders," I replied.

Baron Sisse, Prince Toruse, Domo, and Lin Feixue turned excited upon hearing that I had a solution.

"As for those who had taken advantage of the war for personal gains, let our imperial military deal with them," said Temo, provoking Domo once again.

I could see Old Du covering Domo's mouth tightly with one hand and pressing Domo down with the other hand.

"What solution do you have? Tell us. Countless innocent lives are counting on you," said Prince Toruse.

I told them about my encounter with Bluevoid and my meeting with the worm colony brain on Black King. I also described our plan of freeing the great sovereign from the empire's control. But instead of the expected excitement, I saw everyone turn taciturn.

"What's wrong? Why are you unhappy when there is a chance for us to turn this around?" asked Zhang Bao'er with astonishment.

"The great sovereign is being held on Pluto. Life forms like us can't reach the planet," said Prince Toruse helplessly.

"What do you mean? How can we not reach mere Pluto? The league was already constructing fortifications there two years ago. We had even landed on a white dwarf. How can Pluto stop us? Don't tell me the league has regressed technologically," said Dodo, who was almost shouting due to shock.

Prince Toruse shot Dodo a glance and said, "Yes, you will be able to land on the planet, but everyone else can't. Can you rescue the great sovereign by yourself?"

"Prince, what do you mean?" I was confused.

"After taking Pluto from our hands, the empire constructed a large-scale military base on it. During the process, an ancient chunk of ice was broken, and a fatal virus was released. The virus is terrifying; it had instantly decimated all biological lives present. Tens of thousands of people had perished from that incident," said Prince Toruse.

"What virus was it? Thats too terrifying," said Zhang Bao'er.

"The empire subsequently sent a team of robots and discovered the truth. Apart from the so-called great sovereign, all biological life forms on the planet had perished. Thus, it doesn't seem likely that you'll be able to rescue the great sovereign from the planet. As for a robotic army, we don't have one powerful enough to carry out such a mission," said Prince Toruse.

"Even if we have a suitable robotic army, we won't be able to break through the Midstar Army's defensive perimeter," added Domo.

As despair sunk in, we were suddenly alerted of a battleships approach.